“Sometimes when you pick up your child you can feel the map of your own bones beneath your hands, or smell the scent of your skin in the nape of his neck. This is the most extraordinary thing about motherhood – finding a piece of yourself separate and apart that all the same you could not live without.”

— Jodi Picoult

It is truly an honor to be invited into a family's home when they have just had a baby. The sweet feeling that accompanies a newborn spreads to the home and anyone who enters and it is just so incredible. I remember having my first baby and how you feel like you really have no idea how to do this parenting thing and the exhaustion sets in and the adjustment hits hard. Having a newborn is such a physically and emotionally demanding thing (and I am pretty sure nobody can adequately prepare you for it), but it is such a beautiful and fleeting time.

These parents are figuring it all out perfectly and they are just the right parents for this darling baby boy. They are smitten with him and he knows exactly who they are. It was amazing to witness it and be able to capture it. I loved watching Mom sweetly snuggle her baby and find how he fits right in to her arms and the nape of her neck. I loved watching Dad take his firstborn in his big, strong hands and hold him with the utmost care and tenderness. These are the moments that should not be forgotten when a lot of the other things will be.

“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.”

—Friedrich Nietzsche

This family of eight is seriously amazing. If you know them, you know that is a completely true statement. My husband and I consider them dear friends. My kids love them too, which is a major bonus. We don't live near family, but we consider them our family here. They are the type of people that will drop anything to help out and won't even expect anything in return. They are people you hope to be like and you hope your kids will grow up to be like. They are people you feel so incredibly blessed to have in your life.

It was magic to photograph them. It energized me. They are such a dream and I always walk away a better person after spending time with them (don't you love people like that?). The love they show each other is so sweet and full of joy. Mom and Dad are such a good team and you can tell that they work hard to raise up their children to be responsible, respectful, and kind. They care for one another. I have seen it over and over, so I know it wasn't just during our session. They cherish time together and they make the most of it. It is an honor to know them, to call them friends, and to trust me to photograph them this year.

"A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men."

-Martin Farquhar Tupper

I absolutely adore this sweet family. They are seriously some of the kindest people I have ever met and I have been friends with them for about four years now, before they had any kids. They are the type of people that always leave you better than before you interact with them and they don't even have to try. Don't you love people like that?

They recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their family and it was a complete honor to come to their home at such a very special time. Big brother was so excited to show me his new sister and he loves to love on her. He also couldn't wait to show me all of his toys that he likes to play with :-). He has been just as excited for her to come as everyone else.

This baby is so well-loved and adored and there was such a joyful feeling in their home. There is always so much anticipation before a baby comes and so much exhaustion after a baby comes, but there is so much relief, peace, and happiness as well. Their love for their little family is overflowing and we just go to go with the flow and they spent lots of time snuggling and just being together. Who could ask for a better morning than that? It is my favorite.